The video was put together by the immortal Ms. Spanky Butt Bitch of the Screaming Smoldering Butt Bitches. Pretty cool, if you ask me. Nice combination of stuff shot at our shows in Akron and Cleveland last year plus some vintage footage. The soundtrack is from the new recordings we did last year, which will hopefully see the light soon.

I got the world's worst Internet connection. My next door neighbors, an organization called Insight LA, gave me their password and told me to use their wireless all I wanted. The problem is that the signal is unreliable. Sometimes it'll be so strong I can sit there watching YouTube videos and sometimes it's like the dial-up I had in 1997 that took two hours to download an e-mail (and I thought, That's so cool! It takes a whole week for a letter to arrive in the mail!). Is there any kind of antenna I can hook up to my iBook? Or rabbit ears or something? Right now I'm on my back porch, where the signal is stronger. It's a little chilly. But it's not like February in the real world, here in Santa Monica. Chilly in February here means it's below 60.

I got invited to a Suicide Girls party on Thursday at the Roxy. That should be fun. I'll see if I can get some better pictures this time. Surely the "Brad is the Porno Buddhist" guys need something new to post rants about. I found a big long thread all about that the other day. Good God in Heaven, don't people have anything better to occupy themselves? The Internet must be the greatest time wasting device ever created.

This afternoon I had lunch with one of the Suicide Girls. A certain spiritual teacher of hers caused her much grief by saying that she couldn't be a real Buddhist if she posed naked on the Internet. I just find that attitude incredibly weird. I do not get it at all. Not even when I try to get it. It's such a pervasive attitude that I sometimes wonder if I should think there's some kind of problem with people posing naked on the Internet. But I don't. And I don't imagine I ever will. It's art. Deal with it. Sorry, world.

Steve Gay, who flies all the way out from Phoenix to attend our Zen things in Santa Monica, posted a couple quotes from an author he likes named Byron Katie to our Dogen Sangha Los Angeles Google group. I've never read any of Katie's books. But I do like these quotes, so here they are:

"Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everythinghappens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late.You don't have to like it - it's just easier if you do."

and

"The great way is easy. It's what reveals itself right here, rightnow. "Do the dishes." Answer the e-mail." "Don't answer the e-mail."

As for the wireless. Yeah you can get a wireless card with an antenna or buy them high-gain antennas for their wireless router. You can also buy an extender depending on the brand of router they use. It will rely and strenthen the signal. Some of them will even go on the outside of buildings.

Linksys makes them. It's all in how much money and trouble you want to expend.

"This afternoon I had lunch with one of the Suicide Girls. A certain spiritual teacher of hers caused her much grief by saying that she couldn't be a real Buddhist if she posed naked on the Internet. I just find that attitude incredibly weird. I do not get it at all. Not even when I try to get it. It's such a pervasive attitude that I sometimes wonder if I should think there's some kind of problem with people posing naked on the Internet. But I don't. And I don't imagine I ever will. It's art. Deal with it. Sorry, world."

so let me get this straight.. if I take a picture of my neighbor with her pants dropped, Then I'm an artist? cool!

But seriously Brad, are you so naive as to think that tons of these girls are not just being used and abused by guys who only want to make some money or get their dicks sucked? how about your little niece? would you be happy to see her posing for suicide girls? if not, why not?

Are food and shelter necessary? Is anything necessary? Necessary for what? If we want to go on living, then yes, food and shelter are necessary. But it is still a choice to go on living. Living isn't actually necessary.

If we choose to go on living... and if we choose let the human race go on living, then sex is also "necessary".

Like most creatures on earth, visual stimulation is an important part of human sexuality. It is part of the mating dance. It lets us know who is ready to procreate.

Generalizing, we in the West seem to have a lot of Puritanical hangups about sex. Forbidding people to be interested in sex probably creates more interest in sex than anything. It is a shame to feel guilt about something so natural. I think this act of forbidding is what causes people to seek out pornography and "deviant" forms of sex. When sexual feelings are forbidden and repressed, natural desires come out in other ways. Just ask the Catholic priests.

Becky said..."I didn't say I care about what people say. Just smelled some contradiction."

Good for you!

While enjoying sex is 100% natural, eating meat is not 100% natural. We once foraged for nuts and berries, roots and seeds. Then, some fool invented the spear and the rest - as "they say" - is history or cultural anthropology.

I liked Wiley who said one thing (don't eat) and then snuck out for a Chicken Pot Pie. Humors in hypocrisies.

It all gets back to 'you are your own authoriy.'

Buddha spoke:

"Kalama people, it is proper for you to doubt and to have perplexity [under such circumstances, when [great] doubt has arisen in a doubtful matter."

In Pali, Buddha's reply is recorded thus:

Ma anussavena. Do not believe something just because it has been passed along and retold for many generations. [Simpler: Do not be led by what you are told.]

Ma paramparaya. Do not believe something merely because it has become a traditional practice. [Do not be led by whatever has been handed down from past generations.]

Ma itikiraya. Do not believe something simply because it is well-known everywhere. [Do not be led by hearsay or common opinion.]

Ma Pitakasampadanena. Do not believe something just because it is cited in a text. [Do not be led by what the scriptures say]

Ma takkahetu. Do not believe something solely on the grounds of logical reasoning. [Do not be led by mere logic.]

Ma nayahetu. Do not believe something merely because it accords with your philosophy. [Do not be led by mere deduction or inference.]

Ma akaraparivitakkena. Do not believe something because it appeals to "common sense". [Do not be led by considering only outward appearance.]

Ma ditthinijjhanakkhantiya. Do not believe something just because you like the idea. [Do not be led by preconceived notions (and the theory reflected as an approval)]

Ma bhabbarupataya. Do not believe something because the speaker seems trustworthy. [Do not be led by what seems acceptable; do not be led by what some seeming believable one says.]

Ma samano no garu ti. Do not believe something thinking, "This is what our teacher says". [Do not be led by what your teacher tells you is so.]

Kalamas, when you yourselves directly know, "This is [these things are] unwholesome, this is blameworthy, this is condemned or censured by the wise, these things when accepted and practiced lead to poverty and harm and suffering," then you should give them up.

Kalamas, when you yourselves directly know, "These things are wholesome, blameless, praised by the wise; when adopted and carried out they lead to well-being, prosperity and happiness," then you should accept and practice them."

"We once foraged for nuts and berries, roots and seeds. Then, some fool invented the spear and the rest - as "they say" - is history or cultural anthropology."

The above pastoral scene by the errant mysterion is 100% wrong. The prehistoric we, whomever you imagine "we" to be, foraged for all of the things mentioned above, including meat in all of it's more convenient forms. Humans are omnivores, with the ability to eat nearly everything. But by preference, prehistoric people ate a high-protein, high-mineral diet based on meat and animal sources, whenever available. Their foods came mainly from three of the five food groups: meat, vegetables and fruits. As a result, big game hunters were tall and strong with massive bones. They grew six inches taller than their farming descendants in Europe, who ate mostly plant foods, and only in recent times regained most of this height upon again eating more meat, eggs and dairy foods. Meat, when eaten in moderation, is unquestionably healthier than vegetarianism.

Sure, I guess. But isn't that kind of academic/heady? What are you supposed to DO with that re: questions of eating meat, posing nude on the internet, washing dishes, or whatever? How do you go about not being reborn?

Prehistoric man pretty much pigged out on whatever was available during the season, at least until food preservation became common. If you want to go on and on about what we "should" and what we "shouldn't" eat, don't we need to consider into the equation where we live and what food is naturally available?

I don't know about ya'll, but I haven't seen a fruit bearing tree since early November.

MA: Yep. Sorry about that. There's the Hinayana (Theravada) knowledge component and there's the Mahayana doing component. What do you do if you do not know what to do?

Q: What are you supposed to DO with that re: questions of eating meat(you decide for yourself)posing nude on the internet(you decide for yourself)washing dishes(you decide for yourself)or whatever? (you decide for yourself)

MA = Mysterion's answer or 'my answer' with the caveat: "My answer may not be (indeed, need not be) your answer."

*Heavy heart is a universal idea where you rest in peace when you die in peace. In theory, those who are reborn have work to finish or suffering to work out. In the Buddhist notion of heaven and hell (as I understand it) life - this perceived existence is hell and the non-being (nirvana) or extinguished desire [lust for life] is heaven. However, hell can be heaven for a while and, after a while, heaven can become hell (e.g. after a cycle of terms in nirvana you may choose to be reborn for some purpose or reason).

If you think you can achieve peace (satori) from Zazen alone, then go for it. If you think you can achieve peace (enlightenment) form studying Pali Scripture alone, then go for it. If you think you can achieve peace (salvation) from hobbling around on one sandal (ike in 'Life of Brian') then go for it.

My understanding is that you achieve 'enlightenment' only upon the occasion of your death providing that you have found peace with yourself.

In this respect, the Buddhists I know accept all faiths that provide this for their adherents. A gangster's confession to a Padre - who holds the keys to heaven - in his moment before death comes to mind. Sure, why not? It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

my cuspids said:"Meat, when eaten in moderation, is unquestionably healthier than vegetarianism."

Huh? All of the recent evidence I have read has pointed the other way. A couple of the biggest killers in our society are heart disease and strokes... both products of meat-based diets. It may be easier for meat-eaters to eat a balanced diet. But plant-eaters can live very healthy lives, if care is taken to get proper nutrients. I haven't had meat in 6 years and I feel fine.

Yeah....Finally I have a chance to see you in action Brad :)I am up here in SF and every time I was in LA, you weren't around to "throw" the Sat. sitting. But I see now that on 3/1 you are around... and so am I.One other of my favorite saying comes from one of my favorite Zen teacher Adyashanti:Enjoy, even if you don't.

eardrum said...Huh? All of the recent evidence I have read has pointed the other way. A couple of the biggest killers in our society are heart disease and strokes... both products of meat-based diets. It may be easier for meat-eaters to eat a balanced diet. But plant-eaters can live very healthy lives, if care is taken to get proper nutrients. I haven't had meat in 6 years and I feel fine.

As the original poster mentioned, meat ate in moderation is in all likelihood healthier. Fast-food grease-ball burgers are another story.

Really one can say it gets down to amino acids and calories. Both of which are greatly more abundant in meat, and as such would provide 'better' nourishment in time of need. Obviously we have evolved to the point where in the Western World we are overly indulged with food and as such are needs are different than our wants.

There are many who confess that while they believe like the Turks and the Jews that there is some sort of God and some sort of deity, yet with regard to Jesus Christ and to all that to which the doctrine of the Evangelists and the Apostles testify, they take all that to be fables and dreams.... I have heard that there are of this band those who call themselves Deists, an entirely new word, which they want to oppose to Atheist. For in that atheist signifies a person who is without God, they want to make it understood that they are not at all without God, since they certainly believe there is some sort of God, whom they even recognize as creator of heaven and earth, as do the Turks; but as for Jesus Christ, they only know that he is and hold nothing concerning him nor his doctrine.

babbles said..."Really one can say it gets down to amino acids and calories."

RESOURCE

Obviously it can be done, simply because it has been done for years upon years in many societies across the world. That being said, to obtain the various amino acids required to maintain health requires a multitude of vegetables, lentils, legumes, and etcetera.

If you go back in time some, early humans obviously did not have the luxury of popping into their local Whole Foods to buy mixed vegetables to get their essential amino acids. The easiest and most complete source of nutrition would be to eat meat. Well I suppose one could make the argument that the easiest and most complete source would be whatever the hell was available . . . Anyhow if you have a limited amount of resources (e.g. calories) it is best to obtain complete nutrition with spending the fewest calories as possible.

Personally I enjoy eating meat - most be the growing up in Texas where I believe the State Food is Cow. I support those that choose the vegetarian lifestyle, but I think people who are under the impression that the vegetarian lifestyle is somehow 'better' or more 'original' or whatever are not necessarily correct in their thinking.

From what I've seen, Brad doesn't often respond to comments on this blog. You might have better luck shooting an email to doubtboyESTAmacPUNTOcom.

My guess is that he doesn't give a flying fuck whether you eat meat, take drugs, or sit zazen. But I know a great steakhouse, I'm fairly certain Mysterion knows where to get some really powerful drugs, and if you want to sit zazen you can come down to Hill Street Center this Saturday.

"Becky - please - try Zazen with the local Zen or Yoga group (especially if they will teach you the posture free)."

Uhm, I sit more than 17 years and what make you think I don't do it?

Just like: If you ask stuff like this, you just have to do more Zazen? :-)

I met too many people from other traditions who are "targeting" in the a similar direction without doing what we call Zazen (the thing with sitting). So in my experience it does not appear necessary and stating that you HAVE to sit would be dogmatic, right?

I think its really okay for people to not do it and keep with their lifestyle. And I do not think I can improve their life or they could improve it by just sitting Zazen. It might contribute, but so might a lot of other things.

I said I don't think I am a Buddhist, even I see how much Buddhist inspiration I integrated in my life.

smoggyrob:

"My guess is that he doesn't give a flying fuck whether you eat meat, take drugs, or sit zazen."

While I agree that he probably won't care, I was actually thinking about his opinion that on the one hand tends to nullify common Buddhist sex ethics and on the other hand we have his 80s straight-edge "No Booze, No Meat" attitude. Just curious how that works together.

smoggtrob said "I'm fairly certain Mysterion knows where to get some really powerful drugs"

I too have also wondered about the agents of mysterion's insights. Some of his thoughts are inspiring, others are, ahem, less so. Could he have taken a few vacations in his youth? What say you Mysterion?

Bill Clinton is very bad. George Bush is very good. How is it so many Americans believe this?. How could we be in debt to the tune of $350 billion in eight short years? This is what can happen when we are distracted by the sex lives of politicians rather than paying attention to what is happening with our own lives. In Mysterion's day, people would have protested.

History will be kind to Bill Clinton. He will be remembered, not as the man -- and hardly the first president -- who broke his marriage vows, but as the president who kept his office vows to the American people. And then some.

Clinton will be credited, most of all, for delivering a strong economy on the heels of the Bush recession. If nothing else, he was smart enough to keep Alan Greenspan at the Fed, place Robert Rubin at Treasury, and stay out of their way. The result: the longest period of economic expansion in American history. SOURCE

Becky says "Uhm, I sit more than 17 years and what make you think I don't do it?"

I think you've done it and understand a lot more than you say. I am not an official Buddhist but actually enjoy sitting zazen for 1/2 hour morning and evening. Like you, I spent many years doing half assed sitting for 15 minutes when I felt like it, usually when things weren't going well. When I made the commitment to myself to try with 100% effort, things started to change very quickly. My sitting mindfulness is spreading like a wildfire to include everything I do all of the time.

Becky says"I met too many people from other traditions who are "targeting" in the a similar direction without doing what we call Zazen (the thing with sitting). "

Yea, you can do other practices while not sitting, but I believe the most effective way to integrate the body/mind, recognize and establish clear mind, develop concentration and insight is to sit. but the choice is yours.

there is nothing wrong with Becky, but her attitude is still intellectual

Having an intellectual attitude does not mean she's unaware of those things beyond intellectual understanding. Humans are intellectual beings. Abandoning intellectual attitudes would be pointless, and impossible anyway.

Why does Roman say this? Does he imply he is different or superior? Why do people compare to each other like that? I posted a longer statement on his blog.

Anyway. While I probably share certain experiences, I certainly avoid to go in public with them. I don't know if the Internet is a good place to go into detail and brag "See how far I have developed.". I think that would pretty unhealthy for me if I do it.

My sitting is not half-assed all the time. I sat Rohatsu Sesshins, it doesn't get more "hardcore" than that (just kidding). It was fun!

Think of it like this: I share the "experience" as it is expanding in everyday life. I just focussed to keep it alive without something special. So I skipped the daily "urge" of sitting.

I thought that as long as I depend on some technique I will take the technique for the alleged "merits".

If I keep quiet I am called a dumb bitch. If I try to explain what happens to me I am too intellectual - usually by those who explain themselves all day long.

Yea, you can do other practices while not sitting, but I believe the most effective way to integrate the body/mind, recognize and establish clear mind, develop concentration and insight is to sit. but the choice is yours.

How many things did you try? You "believe" it's the most effective/best, just like Michael Jackson or Diet Coke is the best?

Becky, I don't think Brad spends any effort conforming to anyone's idea of Buddhist sex ethics or 80s straight-edge "No Booze, No Meat" attitude. He's just himself, unapologetic, and I like that about him. For those he puts off, no problem, there's no shortage of teachers. And I'm sorry if you got singed a little, it can get hot in here.

More generally, I think being tolerant of others paths while simultaneously thinking yours is the best is a good path. It reflects not trying to control anyone except yourself, while maintaining an ardent practice. And politeness is a good path too, rewarded in most cases with politeness. And then there's the path of scatological honesty: Diet Pepsi sucks ass, and all of our views (including Brad's) are full of shit.

Its probably been mentioned before, but doesn't all the guff spouted on the comments section of this blog really deserve (ahem) a derision/discusin' forum.

Surely these things are easy to set up at this stage, and the basic maintenance of 'em can't be too demanding... I mean, its plainly obvious that we all have too much time on our hands.

While the 'stream of consciousness' appearance of the comments are not without their ramshackle, confused charm I think that certain important thematic undertones may benefit from some vague organisation.

Rob, I vote for you as the man to lead us into the promised interland in this respect. And no, I won't put my mojo where my mouth is on this and do it myself :-))

And don't worry, we could post links to Brad Broy Brubby's articles so people will know exactly what The Man wants us to dance about.

B.T.W. this a.m., my wife touched my shoulder to move me from Zazen to the next sequence of tasks - shower, breakfast, and work. I stopped using a clock altogether in 1998.

She told me I had been meditating for 22 minutes. And while she said that was rather typical, sometimes she'ld just leave me parked there for 30 if she had things to do in the kitchen. The myth of the 15 minute Zazen session was exposed. Oh well... sorry about that.

My girlfriend has just started sitting with me--I try to sit about 20 (i still use a clock), and she's doing 10--I suggested we bow so it doens't feel like she's being "dismissed," but to someone not used to bowing (I'm not really 'used to it' quite yet...) we decided to skip that part too.

we don't have a bell, and after trying to bang a pot or a bowl with a spoon or a mallet (not-so-skillful means? LOL) she just gets up when she's done pats my shoulder or some such token.

Anywho, I just thought it was cool when I read about your wife patting your shoulder when you're done. I've been wondering about how others take on Buddhism as a practice when their significant others may not necessarily share the Buddhist philosophy or if nothing else, the practice.

Cometboy - Jundo Cohen once posted a video of him sitting with Brad's teacher. Nishijima can be seen checking the time on his watch a couple of times during zazen. Jundo has also provided a zazen timer here. There is another one here.

Brad - I've read Hardcore Zen and I'm working on your new one this very moment. I just wanted to say thank you for penning down what you were hesitant to pen. It's insightful and an absolute joy to read your writing.

I was first interested in Zen through the great Jack Kerouac, his novel The Dharma Bums turned me on in such a huge way that while reading it, I experimented with zazen in the super wee hours of the morning unable to sleep stricken with giddy excitement at the words of the Buddha he described in his characters.

And then I found Hardcore Zen along with a few other books and websites and I now practice every day.

Just a huge word of thanks, and hopefully I'll be able to attend a sitting! (Come to houston!) : )